Corsac - the Steppe Fox

Corsac (steppe fox).

It resembles a fox in appearance. Its body length is only 50–60 cm, tail length is 25–35 cm, and height at the shoulders is about 30 cm. It has large, broad-based ears that attract attention. The winter fur is fluffy and silky.

The corsac is a typical inhabitant of semi-deserts and dry flat steppes.

The corsac primarily feeds on small rodents (field mice, voles, mice, jerboas), reptiles, insects, birds, and their eggs. It less frequently preys on ground squirrels, hedgehogs, and hares. When food is scarce, it eats carrion and various scraps. It rarely touches plant food. It can go for long periods without water. The corsac often settles in the burrows of marmots, occasionally occupying burrows that belonged to badgers and foxes, and rarely digs its own. The animal has a good sense of smell and hearing.

Corsacs are monogamous. Once pairs form, they apparently remain together for life and only separate in the event of one of the animals' death. Mating occurs in January–February, usually at night, accompanied by the barking of males.

The duration of pregnancy is likely 52–60 days, so the young are born in March–April. A litter consists of 2 to 11–16 young, most often 3–6. Newborns are blind and covered with light brown fur. Their weight is about 60 g, and body length is 13–14 cm. They begin to see on the 14th–16th day; at one month old, they start eating meat. At 4–5 months, they reach the size of adults and disperse. However, with the onset of cold weather, young corsacs gather together again and winter in one burrow.

Corsacs reach sexual maturity at 9–10 months of age. The lifespan in natural conditions is unknown; it is estimated to be up to 6 years.

The beautiful, fluffy fur of the corsac has significant value. Additionally, the corsac is beneficial by exterminating many harmful rodents.

It is distributed in the Chui, Jalal-Abad, and Osh regions.

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